Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing were left divided after the show’s professionals performed a “cringe” group dance during Movie Week. The episode, which aired on Saturday night, featured performances based on classic movies like Harry Potter and The Little Mermaid. As part of the show’s usual format, the dancers dressed up as Minions from Despicable Me for the opening skit. Kai Widdrington, a fan favourite without a partner this season, portrayed the film’s villain, Gru, complete with a bald head and prosthetic nose.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the dance, many viewers found it off-putting and unsettling. Some took to social media to express their disappointment, with one person stating, “This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” Another viewer was left speechless, commenting, “I can’t caption this. There are literally no words for what I have just seen. Nothing.” Others urged the performers to “just get on with the show” and voiced their frustration at the extended skit, with one viewer saying, “The show is long enough as it is without all this ham dram crap.”
While some audience members were unimpressed and bored by the performance, calling it a waste of time, others defended it as a fun and entertaining part of the show. One viewer pointed out that the cheesy opening skit is a tradition for Movie Week and added, “They always have to start movie week with a cringe cheesy VT lol. It’s basically a tradition at this point.” Another supporter reminded critics that Strictly Come Dancing is a family show meant for all ages to enjoy, saying, “Let’s not forget it’s a family show, meaning kids watch too! So shut your pie holes and enjoy it.”
Amid the mixed reactions, one viewer criticised those who disliked the group dance, calling them “boring.” The Minions-themed performance sparked a debate among fans of the popular dance competition show, with some appreciating the fun and light-heartedness it brought to the evening while others found it cringeworthy and unnecessary. Whether future episodes will feature similar opening skits remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the Minions certainly made a lasting impression on Strictly Come Dancing viewers during Movie Week.